Interior rearview mirror system with battery powered module

ABSTRACT

An interior rearview mirror system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly and a self-contained battery powered module releasably disposable at the mirror head of the mirror assembly. The self-contained battery powered module includes a toll transponder that communicates with an automated toll system. The mirror head has a receiving portion for receiving the self-contained battery powered module thereat. The receiving portion includes an opening established through a wall of the mirror casing. The self-contained battery powered module may be releasably retained at least partially in the receiving portion via a push-to-release mechanism. The self-contained battery powered module may be removable from the receiving portion via pushing at the self-contained battery powered module to release the self-contained battery powered module from the push-to-release mechanism.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/258,718, filed Jan. 28, 2019, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,703,283,which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/511,842,filed Sep. 18, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,189,411, which is a 371national phase filing of PCT Application No. PCT/US2015/050904, filedSep. 18, 2015, which claims the filing benefits of U.S. provisionalapplications, Ser. No. 62/198,887, filed Jul. 30, 2015, Ser. No.62/158,839, filed May 8, 2015, Ser. No. 62/156,635, filed May 4, 2015,Ser. No. 62/065,232, filed Oct. 17, 2014, Ser. No. 62/062,478, filedOct. 10, 2014, and Ser. No. 62/052,523, filed Sep. 19, 2014, which arehereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of interiorrearview mirror assemblies for vehicles and, more particularly, with aninterior rearview mirror assembly that includes a garage door openingfunction or feature.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known to provide a mirror assembly that includes a garage dooropener incorporated therein. For example, the HOMELINK® system may beincorporated into the rearview mirror. Examples of such systems aredescribed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,396,408; 6,172,613; 6,091,343; 5,854,593and 5,708,415, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference intheir entireties.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an interior rearview mirror assembly thathas a detachable self-contained, battery-powered garage door openingmodule or unit that is disposed at or in or at least partially in aninterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle. The self-containedgarage door opening module includes a battery or integrated powersource, a transmitter (for transmitting a signal to actuate a garagedoor opener at a garage), circuitry and one or more user inputs orbuttons. The garage door opening module is configured to be inserted atleast partially into a receiving portion of the mirror casing of themirror assembly, such that the user inputs or buttons are viewable andaccessible and actuatable at an exterior portion of the mirror casing.The detachable self-contained battery operated garage door openingmodule, when detached from the interior rearview mirror assembly, isportable by the owner of the vehicle or another user of the vehicle. Forexample, the detachable self-contained battery operated garage dooropening module can be detached from the interior rearview mirrorassembly and can be carried by a user for use external and distant fromthe vehicle or can be inserted into another interior rearview mirrorassembly in another vehicle. Thus, when, for example, the vehicle ownersells his or her vehicle, the owner may detach the subject garage dooropening module for use in another vehicle, thereby enhancing utility ofthe detachable self-contained battery operated garage door openingmodule and also enhancing security, given that the original vehicle cannow be sold or otherwise disposed of without integrated inclusiontherein of the subject garage door opening module. The detachableself-contained battery operated garage door opening module may alsoinclude an indicator (such as a light emitting diode or the like) thatis illuminated or activated when one or more of the buttons is pressedto indicate to the user that the garage door opening module is activated(and optionally to indicate to the user that the garage door openingmodule is learning or is ready to learn the appropriate code forcontrolling the selected garage door opener at the user's garage).

These and other objects, advantages, purposes and features of thepresent invention will become apparent upon review of the followingspecification in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an interior rearview mirror assembly inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the interior rearview mirrorassembly of FIG. 1, showing the garage door opening module detached fromthe mirror assembly, with the garage door opening module beingattachable and retainable via a molded tab of the mirror casing;

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of another interior rearview mirrorassembly and garage door opening module of the present invention;

FIGS. 4A-C are plan views of an interior rearview mirror assembly of thepresent invention, showing optional steps to release and remove thegarage door opening module from the mirror assembly;

FIG. 5 shows plan views A-E of garage door opening modules of thepresent invention, showing various button options for the modules;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a garage door opening module of thepresent invention, showing an indicator at the user inputs or buttons ofthe module;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of another interior rearview mirror assembly andgarage door opening module of the present invention, showing anindicator of the module that is viewable (when activated) through thereflective element of the interior rearview mirror assembly;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an interior rearview mirror assemblywith a garage door opening module that is removably retained or securedthereat via a latching mechanism in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another interior rearview mirrorassembly, with another portable garage door opening module of thepresent invention;

FIG. 10 is another perspective view of the interior rearview mirrorassembly of FIG. 9, with the portable garage door opening moduleremoved, and shown with a portable light module received in anotherreceiving portion of the mirror assembly;

FIG. 11 is another perspective view of the interior rearview mirrorassembly of FIG. 10, shown with the portable light module removed fromthe mirror assembly;

FIG. 12 is an underside view of a portion of the interior rearviewmirror assembly of the present invention, showing the portable garagedoor opening module disposed thereat;

FIG. 13 is a side elevation of the interior rearview mirror assembly ofFIG. 12;

FIGS. 14-16 are plan views of interior rearview mirror assemblies havinga portable garage door opening module disposed thereat;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of another interior rearview mirrorassembly of the present invention, shown with a portable garage dooropening module disposed at a mounting structure of the mirror assembly;

FIGS. 18-20 are plan views of interior rearview mirror assemblies havingmounting structures similar to that of FIG. 17;

FIG. 21 is a plan view of a portable garage door opening module of thepresent invention, with symmetrical latching configuration to allow forinsertion of the module into the receiving portion of a mirror assemblyin different orientations;

FIG. 22 is a top plan view of the portable garage door opening module ofFIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a portable garage door opening moduleof the present invention, shown with keys attached at the module;

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a portable garage door opening moduleof the present invention, shown with a lanyard attached at the module;

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a portable garage door opening moduleof the present invention, shown with a latching slot along the modulefor engaging a corresponding attaching element of a mirror assembly toreleasably secure the garage door opening module at the mirror assemblyin accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 26 is an exploded view of an interior rearview mirror assembly ofthe present invention, showing a garage door opening module with a lensor cover for covering a portion of the garage door opening module whenthe module is received at the mirror casing;

FIGS. 27 and 28 are perspective views of the interior rearview mirrorassembly of FIG. 26;

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of the underside of the mirror casing ofthe mirror assembly of FIGS. 27 and 28, showing the lens or coverdisposed at the garage door opening module;

FIG. 30 is another perspective view of the underside of the mirrorcasing of FIG. 29;

FIGS. 31 and 32 are perspective views similar to FIGS. 29 and 30,showing another lens or cover at a garage door opening module when themodule is received at the mirror casing;

FIG. 33 is an exploded perspective view of the mirror assembly andgarage door opening module and lens or cover in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 34 is another exploded perspective view of the mirror assembly andgarage door opening module and lens or cover of FIG. 33, showing themodule received at the mirror casing;

FIG. 35 is a perspective view of the mirror assembly and garage dooropening module and lens or cover of FIG. 34, showing the module receivedat the mirror casing with the lens or cover attached at the mirrorcasing;

FIG. 36 is another perspective view of the mirror assembly of thepresent invention, showing a light pipe configured to guide light from alight source in the vehicle to the lens or cover;

FIG. 37 is another perspective view of the light pipe and garage dooropening module and lens or cover of FIG. 36;

FIG. 38 is an enlarged view of the lower region of the mirror casing andgarage door opening module and les or cover and light pipe of thepresent invention;

FIG. 39 is another perspective view of the lower region shown in FIG.39;

FIG. 40 is a perspective view of an interior rearview mirror assemblywith a portable toll transponder module in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 41 is a perspective view of an interior rearview mirror assemblywith a portable camera module in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 42 is a perspective view of an interior rearview mirror assemblywith a portable wet wipes module in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 43 is a perspective view of an interior rearview mirror assemblywith a portable candy or breath freshener holder or dispenser module inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 44 is a perspective view of an interior rearview mirror assemblywith a portable air freshener module in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 45 is a perspective view of an interior rearview mirror assemblywith another portable air freshener module in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 46 is a perspective view of an interior rearview mirror assemblywith a portable clip module in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 47 is a perspective view of an interior rearview mirror assemblywith a portable reminder flag module in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 48 is a perspective view of an interior rearview mirror assemblywith a portable pocket knife or multi-tool module in accordance with thepresent invention; and

FIG. 49 is a perspective view of an interior rearview mirror assemblywith a portable toothpick dispenser module in accordance with thepresent invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings and the illustrative embodiments depictedtherein, an interior rearview mirror assembly 10 for a vehicle includesa mirror head 11 comprising a mirror casing 12 and a reflective element14 positioned at a front portion of the casing 12 (FIG. 1). In theillustrated embodiment, mirror assembly 10 is configured to beadjustably mounted to an interior portion of a vehicle (such as to aninterior or in-cabin surface of a vehicle windshield or a headliner of avehicle or the like) via a mounting structure or mounting configurationor assembly 16. A garage door opening module 18 is configured to bereceived in a receiving portion 12 a (such as an aperture or recess orthe like and structure established thereat) of the mirror casing 12,such as shown in FIG. 2. The garage door opening module 18 comprises aself-contained module or unit that includes an integrated power sourceor battery and circuitry, such as control or garage door openercircuitry (operating under rolling code) and a transmitter (such as aradio frequency or RF transmitter) for transmitting a signal (such as aRF signal) to a garage door opener at a garage, as discussed below.

As shown in FIG. 2, the self-contained garage door opening module 18comprises a casing or housing 18a and one or more user inputs or buttons18b. The housing is configured to insert into or be at least partiallyreceived at the opening or aperture 12 a of the mirror casing 12 toattach the garage door opening module 18 at the mirror assembly 10.Thus, the module is configured to cooperate with the receiving portion(such as structure of the module cooperating with structure of thereceiving portion) to releasably secure the portable self-containedgarage door opening module at least partially at the receiving portion,and the module is configured to cooperate with the receiving portion torelease the module from the receiving portion, as discussed below. Theportable self-contained garage door opening module comprises at leastone user input and a housing that houses (i) garage door openercircuitry operable under rolling code, (ii) a radio frequencytransmitter and (iii) a battery for electrically powering the circuitry.The portable self-contained garage door opening module is operable towirelessly transmit (via the circuitry) a radio frequency signalresponsive to actuation of the user input or inputs or buttons of theportable self-contained garage door opening module. Optionally, anddesirably, the garage door opening module or modules may be formed ormanufactured with a universal housing shape that is configured to fit inrecesses or apertures of various mirror casings so as to provide auniversal garage door opening module for a variety of mirrorapplications.

The housing of the portable self-contained garage door opening module ispreferably sealed so as to be substantially water impervious to limit orsubstantially preclude water intrusion into the housing and circuitry ofthe sealed module or unit. Thus, the sealed self-contained garage dooropening module or unit is suitable to be used as a portable unit andcarried by a user in adverse weather conditions, such as rain or snow,high humidity conditions and/or the like. The sealed self-containedgarage door opening module or unit thus can be removed from the mirrorassembly and carried by the driver or user in adverse weatherconditions.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 2, the garage door opening modulehousing includes a notch and the mirror casing includes a flexible tabthat flexes to engage the notch when the module is received in thecasing to releasably secure or retain the module at the mirror casing,with the user inputs or buttons disposed at a lower portion of themirror casing, where they are readily accessible by a user of the mirrorassembly and garage door opening module. Thus, the garage door openingmodule may be readily inserted into the receiving portion of the mirrorcasing (such as through an opening or slot established through a wall ofthe mirror casing) and may be readily detached from the mirror casing(such as for replacement of the battery of the module or the like).

Optionally, the garage door opening module may be more securely attachedat the mirror casing (such that the module is not readily detached fromthe mirror casing), where a tool may be used to remove the module fromthe mirror casing (such as shown in FIG. 3). Optionally, and as shown inFIG. 4, the garage door opening module may be inserted into the mirrorcasing and retained or secured thereat, with the retention or securementmeans or construction comprises a push-to-release mechanism. Forexample, the retention means or mechanism may comprise a spring-loadedmechanism that, when the module is pushed in a first time, retains orsecures the module in the mirror casing and, when the retained orsecured module is pushed a second time, releases the module from themirror casing and urges the module at least partially outwards from themirror casing so that the user can readily grasp the module and removethe module from the mirror casing. As shown in FIG. 4, the garage dooropening module may include an indent or catch that, when the module isinitially released from the casing, engages the mirror casing to keepthe module from falling out of the casing, whereby the module may thenbe pulled (or pushed to release the latch mechanism) to remove itcompletely from the mirror casing (and optionally upon release of thelatch mechanism, the module may drop at least partially out of themirror casing whereby the user may readily grasp the module to remove itfrom the mirror casing). Optionally, and such as shown in FIG. 8, themirror assembly may have a button or protrusion 12 b that can be pushedto move a latching element or structure to release the module from themirror assembly. The module may be inserted into the receiving portionuntil the latching element flexes and engages a latching element orstructure 18 e of the module to releasably secure or retain the moduleat least partially within the mirror casing of the mirror assembly.Optionally, the structure or receiving portion may comprise or include afastener, such as a snap or push fastener or a threaded fastener such asa screw or the like, that, when inserted/tightened at a passageway (suchas a threaded passageway) of the mirror casing and/or module, securesthe module at the receiving portion (and the fastener may be readilyremoved to allow for removal of the module from the receiving portion).Thus, the garage door opening module may be readily secured or retainedat and released from the mirror casing such that the module is readilyportable so the user can take the module out of the mirror casing andout of the vehicle as desired.

Optionally, the garage door opening module may comprise the garage dooropening function and may have an attachment or mounting portion ormechanism, such as at an end of the module opposite the garage dooropening buttons or inputs. The user may select a desired optionalfeature or device or structure or attachment to attach at the end of themodule to customize the module for his or her personal preferences. Forexample, the user may attach an LED device at the end of the module ormay attach a toothpick or pocket knife or other attachment (such asother functions or features or structures of the types discussed below).The garage door opening module thus is customizable for the particularuser, whereby the user may purchase the base garage door opening moduleand one or more different attachments that may be selectively attachedat the base module by the user. The attachment may snap or click ontothe base module and may be readily detached to change to a differentattachment as desired. For attachments that require power (such as anLED light or the like), electrical connection to a battery of the basegarage door opening module may be made when the attachment is attachedat the base module or optionally the attachment (such as an LED light orthe like) may include its own power source (such as a lithium battery orthe like).

Optionally, and as shown in FIGS. 9-11, the portable garage door openingmodule may include a spring or clip 19 that retains or secures themodule 18 in the mirror assembly. Such a clip may be similar to a clipon a conventional garage door opener that clips to a sun visor of avehicle or the like. With such a configuration, the garage door openingmodule may be clipped at the mirror assembly of an equipped vehicle ormay be clipped at a sun visor or the like of that vehicle or anothervehicle (and if the clip-equipped portable garage door opening moduleshould be removed from an interior rearview mirror assembly into whichit had been inserted, then another portable module, such as the typesdescribed below, can be disposed at the receiving portion of the mirrorassembly).

When received in the receiving portion of the mirror assembly, thegarage door opening module may be generally flush with the outer orlower surface of the mirror casing at the slot or recess of thereceiving portion, or the module may be nested in the mirror casing ormay be proud of or may protrude from the mirror casing. Any LEDindicators or user-actuated buttons and/or switches or the likepreferably protrude down a little from the lower wall of the mirrorcasing so as to be more readily viewable by the driver and/or to be morereadily accessible to/activated by/operable by the driver who isoperating the equipped vehicle.

Optionally, although shown and described as being received substantiallyinto an aperture or recess at the lower part of the mirror casing, thegarage door opening module may be received into a receiving portion ofthe mirror assembly that is established at a side or upper region of themirror casing. Optionally, although shown and described as being at thelower part of the mirror casing, the receiving portion of the mirrorassembly may comprise a pocket or recess established at a rear portionof the mirror casing (such as at a recess established at the rear of amirror casing of the types described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,508,831, whichis hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety), whereby themodule may be substantially exposed at the pocket at the rear of themirror casing. Optionally, the garage door opening module of the presentinvention may be configured to attach elsewhere, such as at the mountingportion or base of the mirror assembly, or at a windshield electronicsmodule or accessory module at or near or remote from the interiorrearview mirror assembly. Optionally, and less desirably, the garagedoor opening module may be configured to attach elsewhere remote fromthe interior rearview mirror assembly and windshield, such as at a sunvisor or header or console of the vehicle or the like.

The garage door opening module may include one or more buttons or userinputs for actuating or controlling circuitry of the module. Optionally,and with reference to FIG. 5, the garage door opening module may includevarious shaped buttons, either with a bezel portion around the buttons(A-C in FIG. 5) or without a bezel portion (D and E in FIG. 5).Optionally, and with reference to FIG. 6, the garage door opening modulemay include an indicator 18c (such as a light emitting diode (LED) orthe like) that is actuatable responsive to a user pressing one or moreof the buttons of the module to indicate to the user that the module hasbeen actuated (for example, to indicate that the module is transmittingits signal to a garage door opener at a garage or to indicate that themodule is learning a signal code or has learned a signal code for anassociated garage door opener, and optionally the module may include aplurality of indicators or LEDs that are individually and/orcooperatively actuatable to indicate respective functions). The LEDs,when activated to emit light, may be visible at the exposed portion ofthe module at the lower region of the mirror casing. Optionally, andwith reference to FIG. 7, the indicator 18c′ of the garage door openingmodule may be at a portion of the garage door opening module that isdisposed in the mirror casing and behind the reflective element 14,whereby the indicator, when activated or energized, is viewable throughthe mirror reflective element (such as through a partially transmissive,partially reflective or transflective mirror reflector of the mirrorreflective element).

When disposed in the mirror assembly, the garage door opening module mayprotrude slightly from the mirror casing, such as can be seen withreference to FIGS. 12 and 13, whereby a user can readily see and discernthe user-operable buttons of the module at the bottom of the mirrorcasing. The mirror assembly may comprise a prismatic mirror reflectiveelement or an electro-optic mirror reflective element (such as anelectrochromic mirror reflective element). Optionally, the mirrorreflective element may comprise an electrochromic (EC) mirror reflectiveelement having its EC on/off user input or button disposed at a bottomregion of the housing (FIG. 14), where the EC or automatic mirrordimming input or button is at or near the buttons of the garage dooropening module when the module is disposed in the mirror casing.Optionally, the automatic dimming control may be turned on or off byother user inputs, such as a flip switch (FIG. 15), which provides atoggle actuator similar to prismatic mirror elements (but with flippingof the toggle on the mirror of FIG. 15 turning on or off the automaticdimming control of the mirror instead of changing the position of themirror reflective element or mirror head). Optionally, the user inputfor turning on or off the automatic dimming control may comprise anyother suitable input, such as a touch sensor (FIG. 16) or the likedisposed at or behind the mirror reflective element.

Optionally, the mirror casing of the mirror assembly of the presentinvention may not receive a garage door opening module, but the mirrormounting bracket or structure 16′ (such as a bracket or structure thatpivotally mounts the mirror head at a header of the vehicle such asshown in FIG. 17) may be configured to receive the garage door openingmodule 18′ thereat, such as within or partially within the mirror casingof the mirror assembly or within or partially within the mirror mountingassembly or structure of the mirror assembly. In such a construction,the buttons of the garage door opening module are readily viewable andaccessible above the mirror reflective element and mirror head, such ascan be seen with reference to FIGS. 18-20. As shown in FIG. 17, thegarage door opening module may be received in a recess of the mountingbracket and may protrude outwardly from the bracket so that the buttonsare disposed generally above (and optionally protrude rearward of) themirror reflective element, in order to ease access to the buttons whenthe garage door opening module is disposed at the mounting bracket. Themirror assemblies of FIGS. 18-20 show different optional user inputs foractuating or turning on/off the electro-optic mirror dimming control orfeature, such as by a button at the bottom of the mirror casing (FIG.18), a toggle switch at the bottom of the mirror casing (FIG. 19) or atouch sensor or proximity sensor at the mirror reflective element (FIG.20).

Thus, the garage door opening module of the present invention is batterypowered, such as lithium battery powered, with the battery integrated inthe module. The circuitry of the module is operable by or powered by theintegrated battery and operable to transmit one or more signalsresponsive to actuation of one or more of the user inputs or buttons ofthe garage door opening module. The garage door opening module may beseparately obtainable separate from the mirror assembly as aself-contained unit or module. Thus, the mirror manufacturer provides amirror having a recess or aperture and the mirror manufacturer merelyaccommodates or packages the garage door opening module in the mirrorassembly. Preferably, a lithium ion battery (such as an Energizer CR2032battery or a Tadiran TL-2450 battery or a Xeno XL-050F battery or thelike) is used and the circuitry utilized is designed to minimize powerand current utilization or consumption, so that the lithium ion batteryneed not be replaceable but can power the garage door opening modulethroughout utilization during the ten years or more life cycle of avehicle. Operation of the garage door opening module is of course onlyduring a desired garage door opening event and so use of the module isintermittent/sporadic and infrequent (such as, for example, only abouttwo to four times a day or thereabouts), and only then the moduleoperates for a very short period of time (such as a second or so whenactuated to open or close the garage door). Thus, the garage dooropening module of the present invention can be made compact with alithium ion battery.

Because the garage door opening module is not powered by the vehiclebattery (and is not embedded into or integrated in the vehicle wiring orelectrical system), it is desirable to reduce the power consumption bythe module. Thus, the garage door opening module may include featuresthat assist in reducing the power consumption.

Optionally, the garage door opening module may be backlit or illuminatedby a light source or LED that is separate and distinct from the garagedoor opening module and is not powered by the detachable self-containedbattery operated garage door opening module. For example, the LED may bepart of the interior rearview mirror assembly and may be disposed at themirror assembly so that, when activated to emit light, the LED emitslight that illuminates at least a portion of the garage door openingmodule when the garage door opening module is received at the receivingportion of the mirror assembly. In such a configuration, the interiorrearview mirror assembly (at which the detachable self-contained batteryoperated garage door opening module is received) may incorporate andcontain such a separate backlighting LED, with the separate LED beingpowered by the vehicle electrical system itself (and not by the batteryof the detachable self-contained battery operated garage door openingmodule).

Optionally, it may be desirable that the garage door opening moduleinclude backlighting of the user inputs or buttons (and/or the userinputs or buttons may comprise blister switches or buttons or the likethat provide a tactile feel including a raised or depressed button and aclick feature when activated). The backlighting may be provided by anLED or the like. However, in order to reduce the power consumption, themodule may utilize a glow in the dark material at least at its buttonregions. Thus, at night, the buttons would glow or would be illuminatedto enhance visibility of the buttons. Such a non-electrical glowfunction does not require any battery power.

For example, the garage door opening module may provide a glow featureor luminescent feature to assist in viewing the module or at least theuser inputs or buttons in low lighting conditions (instead of LEDs orthe like). The button region of the module (and optionally the modulecasing) thus may comprise a highly visible and glowing phosphorescentmaterial or the like. The garage door opening module (at least at thebutton region) may include an illumination source that comprises aself-luminous light source, which provides continuous illuminationwithout a draw of current from a power source and with or without theneed for periodic exposure to light. For example, the button or housingmaterial (or an element disposed behind the button or in the modulehousing) may comprise a phosphorescent material, which is recharged insunlight, or a self-luminous light source, which does not require light,such as sunlight, to charge. In contrast to self-luminous light sources,the illumination provided by phosphorescent and/or fluorescent materialsdecreases in intensity the longer the materials remain in a dark ordimly or sporadically lit area. A self-luminous light source providessubstantially constant illumination intensity regardless of thesurrounding lighting conditions. Preferably, the self-luminous lightsource is operable to provide light and intensity of at leastapproximately 5,000 micro-lamberts.

For example, the garage door opening module may comprise a self-luminousand self-sufficient light source, such as a Tritium gas capsule, whichrequires no light or electricity to charge and thus providesillumination, via radioactive decay of the elements, with no draw on themodule's battery. The self-luminous light source may be disposed behinda transparent button region or at or near the buttons to provideillumination at or backlighting of the button region of the module.Tritium gas capsules are known and are available in various sizes,shapes, and colors, such as those commercially available from SRBTechnologies Inc. of Winston-Salem, N.C. The Tritium gas capsulescomprise an isotope of hydrogen which has a long operable life of atleast approximately 12 years. These self-sufficient light sourcescomprise low levels of radioactive material, but are safe and have beenapproved for various consumer applications. A suitable self-sustaininglight source is available from SRB Technologies Inc. of Winston-Salem,N.C. under the trade name Saunders-Roe Betalight®, and requires noelectrical energy or light exposure to illuminate.

Thus, the garage door opening module of the present invention providesfor button or icon illumination without vehicle wiring. Such wirelessillumination may be suitable for use in door handles or other accesssystems, such as by utilizing aspects of the handle systems described inU.S. Pat. No. 6,485,081, which is hereby incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

Optionally, the garage door opening module may include a molded plasticbutton with integral photo-luminescent material. An opaque paint withmasked or etched icon graphic may also or otherwise be used to enhancevisibility and discernibility of the button and its function.Optionally, an opaque molded plastic button with a second material addedfor a photo-luminescent icon may be used. For example, the icon may be2-shot molded into the carrier button.

Optionally, the garage door opening module may include a moldedsubstrate with layers of paint. For example, the substrate may comprisea “hard” plastic or a softer silicone or rubber material, with aphoto-luminescent paint (under-coat) and an opaque paint top coat withmasked or etched icon graphic.

Optionally, the photo-Luminescent material may require exposure to lightfor “charging.” Because light with higher UV content works best, thelight sensitive material may be exposed at or through the mirror housing(towards the windshield of vehicle). A visible light filter may be usedat the housing to prevent glow of photo-luminescent material through themirror housing, such that the illumination or glow is only visible whenthe garage door opening module is removed from the mirror housing.

Optionally, the garage door opening module may use an opaque paint thatmay be either a “positive” or “negative” image of the icon graphic. Forexample, with a positive image, only the icon glows, and with a negativeimage, the icon is dark, while the background glows.

Optionally, the photo-luminescent material may comprise any suitablematerial, such as an Alkaline Earth Metal Aluminate mixture (sometimescalled Strontium Aluminate). Optionally, custom colors may be createdwith various metals (such as strontium, magnesium, calcium, and bariumsilicon and titanium). Optionally, the material may be doped withEuropium or the like.

Optionally, the garage door opening module may use a small photo-voltaicsolar cell to charge a capacitor or battery of the module. Optionally,an LED circuit may be used to illuminate the back side of a keypad. TheLED circuit may utilize an internal ambient light sensor to activate LEDcircuits (thereby conserving energy until the backlighting function isneeded).

Optionally, the garage door opening module may use or include avibration mode energy harvesting system. For example, the system mayinclude a battery or capacitor and vehicle vibration/motion may cause apiezo-electric system to store energy in the battery or capacitor.Optionally, an LED circuit may be used to illuminate the back side of akeypad. The LED circuit may utilize an internal ambient light sensor toactivate LED circuits (thereby conserving energy until the backlightingfunction is needed).

Optionally, the garage door opening module may be trainable or universalgarage door opening device such as utilizing known circuitry andprotocols, or the garage door opening module may operate in accordancewith or may be associated with a MyQ® garage door opening system orprotocol commercially available from The Chamberlain Group, Inc. ofElmhurst, IL. For example, the garage door opening module may operate ina system utilizing aspects of the systems described in U.S. Pat. Nos.6,998,977 and/or 8,421,591, which are hereby incorporated herein byreference in their entireties. Optionally, the garage door openingmodule may utilize aspects of the vehicle based garage door openingsystems described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,779,910; 8,577,549; 6,396,408;6,362,771; 7,023,322 and/or 5,798,688, which are hereby incorporatedherein by reference in their entireties.

When the garage door opening module of the present invention is usedwith a MyQ® or similar system, an internet gateway is utilized whereinthe garage door opening module is in communication with the likes of asmart phone carried into the vehicle by an occupant (such as the driveror a passenger). The garage door opening module wirelessly communicateswith such a smart phone or the like and the driver of the equippedvehicle may submit input (such as voice input or touch input or otheruser input) via the smart phone to the garage door opening module. Thegarage door opening module then wirelessly communicates or links with aMyQ® home module or unit located remotely from the vehicle, such as atthe house or home of the driver where the subject garage door opener(that is to be remotely operated via the garage door opening module ofthe present invention) is located. Commands and/or information are thuswirelessly communicated (preferably via the internet/world wide web) tothe remote-located MyQ® house/home module. Correspondingly, data as tothe status (opened or closed) of the likes of the subject garage door atthe subject house/home may be communicated from the house/home to theequipped vehicle via the internet/world wide web. Such a smart phone (orequivalent device) internet-gateway garage door opening system may beincorporated by the likes of Ford Motor Company into its SYNC®communication system. Alternatively, or in addition to smart phoneutilization in the garage door opening system of the present invention,the likes of General Motors' ONSTAR® may incorporate the likes of a MyQ®garage door opener communication into the vehicle, with a garage dooropening module (associated with the MyQ® system) preferably included in(and removable/detachable from) the interior rearview mirror assembly asdescribed herein.

A distinct advantage of the ease with which the garage door openingmodule may be inserted into and removed from the mirror casing is thatthe vehicle owner or user can move the garage door opening module (andthus access to and control of his or her house/home garage door opener)from one vehicle to another vehicle. This portability enhances theutility and security of such a module. For example, and with the garagedoor opening module removed from the mirror assembly and vehicle,another driver of the vehicle (such as another family member, co-workeror the like) cannot remotely access the vehicle owner's (or prioruser's) garage door opener or security barrier or home devices and/orthe like when that person borrows or uses another person's vehicle.Also, when a person rents a vehicle or obtains a loaner vehicle whenleaving his or her vehicle for service, that person can remove thegarage door opening module from his/her own car—temporarily use it inthe rental/loaner vehicle—and when his/her own vehicle becomes availableagain, reinsert the garage door opening module into his/her own vehicle.

A further distinct advantage of the ease with which the garage dooropening module of the present invention may be inserted into and removedfrom the mirror casing (or from another portion of an interior rearviewmirror assembly such as a foot or attachment portion thereof at orapproximate where the interior rearview mirror assembly attaches to thewindshield of the equipped vehicle via the likes of a mirror mountingbutton, such as known in the mirror mounting art) is that the garagedoor opening module (being portable and removable and not integratedinto the interior mirror assembly) may be removed from the interiorrearview mirror assembly when, for example, the vehicle is sold or whenthe vehicle is being valet parked or loaned or rented out or sent in forservice at a service station/repair shop or the like.

The portability of the present invention has distinct advantages overprior known systems such as a trainable garage door opening systemavailable from Gentex Corporation of Zeeland, Mich. under the trade nameHOMELINK®. In the HOMELINK® trainable garage door opening system, thetransmitter (and any associated buttons, receiver, antennae, circuitryand/or the like) is integrated into the vehicle and is powered by apower source of the vehicle (typically the vehicle's ignition/battery).For example, a HOMELINK® trainable garage door opening system isprovided by Gentex integrated into an interior rearview mirror assemblythat Gentex ships to a vehicle manufacturer/original equipmentmanufacturer (OEM) for installation by that OEM into a vehicle. As soldto and used by a buyer/consumer of a HOMELINK®-equipped vehicle, thetrainable garage door opener is integrated into the vehicle and is not auser-removable, self-contained, portable, battery-operated garage dooropening module of the present invention.

In accordance with the present invention, the garage door opening moduleis self-contained—all mechanical and electrical parts needed foroperation are contained/packaged in a single unit. Thus, the battery,any user-operable buttons, the circuitry, antennae, casing and the likeare provided in a unitary module or package. Thus, the owner of avehicle equipped with the self-contained, battery-operated, portable,non-integrated garage door opening module of the present invention can,for example, remove the self-contained, battery-operated, portable,non-integrated garage door opening module from a mirror casing of theinterior mirror assembly where it is housed when leaving the vehicle andmay use the garage door opening module outside the vehicle or mount itinto another vehicle (or replace the current garage door opening modulewith another updated garage door opening module). This portability isnot possible with the known HOMELINK® system, where the garage dooropening device is an integral part of likes of an interior mirrorassembly or a visor and is not removable therefrom as a self-contained,portable unit. Thus, for example, if an owner of a vehicle equipped witha HOMELINK® system sells or scraps that vehicle, the HOMELINK® garagedoor opening device (being integrated into the vehicle) is sold with andgoes with the vehicle.

The portability of the garage door opening module of the presentinvention has further advantages. An OEM manufacturer of automobiles cansell its vehicles equipped with an interior rearview mirror assemblythat is configured to receive a self-contained, battery-operated,portable garage door opening module, but not actually include in thatinterior rearview mirror assembly the garage door opening module itself.Then the buyer of that vehicle can buy the garage door opening modulefrom a store (such as a Menards store or a Target store or a Home Depotor a Lowes or the like) or buy the garage door opening module onlinefrom the likes of Amazon, and the owner of the vehicle canhimself/herself install the garage door opening module into the interiorrearview mirror assembly of the vehicle that is configured to receivethat self-contained, battery-operated, portable garage door openingmodule. By not being integrated into the vehicle, the consumer canchoose the best price and place to buy the garage door opening module, adistinct advantage over the integrated HOMELINK® systems currently usedin vehicles where the HOMELINK® unit is not portable and where theconsumer needs to buy the HOMELINK® feature when buying the subjectvehicle, and thus must pay the price demanded by the OEM dealership(such as a Ford dealership or a GM dealership or a Toyota dealership) tobuy the subject vehicle equipped with the HOMELINK® option.

A self-contained, battery-operated, portable garage door opening modulesuitable for use in the present invention is the Chamberlain 953EVGarage Door Opener Remote available from The Chamberlain Group Inc. ofElmhurst, Ill. The Chamberlain 953EV Garage Door Opener is for use with315 MHz or 390 MHz garage door openers manufactured after Jan. 1, 1993.The battery-operated Chamberlain 953EV garage door opener activates whenthe programmed button in the remote control is pressed. The remotecontrol can activate up to three garage door openers. Otherself-contained, battery-operated, portable garage door opening modulesare available from Chamberlain, such as Universal Clicker® Products.Chamberlain universal clicker garage door opener products are designedto work with a variety of garage door opener brands to give convenient,secure access to a garage or a home. They work with a variety of garagedoor opener models and frequencies. For example, the Clicker® UniversalRemote Control Model KLIK1U (that can operate up to two different brandsand/or frequencies of garage door openers) is a self-contained,battery-operated, portable garage door opening module suitable to use inthe present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 21-24, the garage door opening module of the presentinvention may comprise such a Chamberlain product or circuitry.Optionally, the garage door opening module may comprise a symmetricalmodule to facilitate insertion of the module into the receiving portionof the mirror assembly in either direction, thus easing insertion of themodule to a user of the garage door opening module of the presentinvention. Optionally, and such as shown in FIG. 25, the garage dooropening module may include a slot along one or both sides for engaging acorresponding retaining element at the mirror assembly as the module isinserted into the mirror receiving portion to align and retain or securethe module at least partially within the receiving portion of the mirrorassembly.

The self-contained, battery-operated, portable garage door openingmodule may include a key chain for attachment of keys when removed fromthe interior mirror assembly. For example, the garage door openingmodule may have attaching portions where keys or a lanyard may beattached (such as shown in FIGS. 23 and 24), to keep the garage dooropening module with the keys or the like when detached from or removedfrom the mirror assembly.

Optionally, and with reference to FIGS. 26-39, an interior rearviewmirror assembly 110 includes a receiving portion 112 a for receiving aportable self-contained battery powered garage door opening module 118thereat. A lens or bezel or cover 120 is provided that attaches at themirror casing 112 to retain or secure the garage door opening module 118thereat when the module is at least partially received at the receivingportion of the mirror casing. The lens or cover may provide amultifunction lens that functions as a clip or retainer for retaining orsecuring the garage door opening module at the receiving portion of themirror casing (such as by snap-attaching at the mirror casing at themodule), and that may also function as an illumination source or alert,as discussed below.

As best seen in FIGS. 29-32, the lens or cover 120, 120′ may be formedto conform with or correspond with the lower surface of the garage dooropening module, such that, when the lens or cover is attached at themirror casing, the lens or cover engages and retains or secures themodule securely or firmly at the receiving portion. The lens or cover120′ (FIGS. 31 and 32) is configured to engage and retain or secure adifferent shaped lower portion of a garage door opening module 118′ thanlens or cover 120, but is otherwise generally similar to the lens orcover 120, such that a detailed discussion of lens or cover 120′ neednot be repeated herein.

Optionally, the multifunction lens or cover 120 may comprise an alert orillumination element that may be illuminated via a light source 122within the mirror assembly (such as a light emitting diode at a circuitboard in the mirror casing). For example, and such as can be seen withreference to FIGS. 26 and 36-38, a light pipe 124 may be used to guideor direct light emitted by a light emitting diode 122 (LED) to the lens120, whereby, when the LED is activated or energized, the lens 120 isilluminated. The LED may be activated responsive to any signal or input.Optionally, for example, the LED 122 may be associated with anti-theftsystem of the vehicle, whereby the anti-theft warning light or LED 122may be actuated when an anti-theft system of the vehicle is actuated(such as when the doors are locked), and the lens 120 thus may glow oremit light (such as responsive to a short pulse of light emitted by theLED 122) to indicate to a person viewing the vehicle from outside thatthe anti-theft system is activated. The lens may be designed to spreador emit light 360 degrees to signal to people outside of the vehicle andaround the vehicle that the anti-theft system is activated.

Optionally, the LED 122 (or another LED or light source within themirror casing) may be activated to provide illumination at the lens orcover 120 for other functions or features. For example, the LED may beactuated to provide illumination at and around the lens or cover 120 toenhance visibility and viewability of the garage door opening module andits button or buttons in low lighting conditions. The LED may beresponsive to a user input or ambient light sensor so that the LED maybe activated when lighting conditions are low or below a thresholdlevel, or when the user selectively actuates the LED to enhanceviewability of the garage door opening module.

The lens may be designed to direct light towards the buttons of thegarage door opening module, or the lens may be configured to diffuselyglow to illuminate the region where the garage door opening module isdisposed, or optionally the lens may be configured to emit or projectlow level illumination downward towards the dashboard or center consoleof the vehicle. Optionally, the lens may be configured to project lightor illuminate a graphic or icon etched or otherwise established at thelens (such as at a surface of the lens) to backlight or highlight thegraphic or icon. The LED may comprise any suitable light emitting diodeor light source, such as a white light-emitting light emitting diode orother colored LED, such as for customizing the appearance by an OEM,whereby such customized light may match or contrast or harmonize withthe other lighting within the vehicle.

Optionally, and such as shown in FIGS. 38 and 39, the portableself-contained battery operated garage door opening module 118 mayinclude an operation indicator 118c (such as a green indicator or LED orthe like) that is energized when the garage door opening module isactuated (such as by a user pushing upward at the lens or at a button ofthe module when the module is received at the receiving portion of themirror casing). The lens 120 may be configured to be disposed over theindicator 118c when the lens is attached at the mirror casing to retainor secure the module at the mirror casing, whereby light emitted by theindicator 118c passes through the lens (which may comprise a generallytransparent or translucent or tinted or colored or diffuse plastic orpolycarbonate element) so as to be viewable and discernible by the userof the garage door opening module. Optionally, the self-containedbattery operated garage door opening module 118′ may include a batteryindicator 118d (such as a red indicator or LED or the like) that isenergized when the battery level or charge of the battery of the garagedoor opening module is low or below a threshold level. The lens 120 maybe configured to be disposed over the indicator 118d when the lens isattached at the mirror casing to retain or secure the module at themirror casing, whereby light emitted by the indicator 118d passesthrough the transparent or translucent or tinted or colored or diffuselens so as to be viewable and discernible by a person viewing the mirrorassembly and garage door opening module.

Optionally, the multi-function lens may be painted with laser etching toenhance the driver's or passenger's ability to locate the buttons of thegarage door opening module. The laser etching may allow for lighting ofsymbols or icons or areas. The lens may be substantially proud or abovethe surface of the buttons to further assist the user in identifying thedesired button, such as via visual identification or touch.

Optionally, the lens may provide an alternate function as a warningindicator that draws the driver's eye and attention to the lens andmirror. For example, the lens may be illuminated or may flash or thelike responsive to a vehicle system that determines when a rearcollision is imminent or likely, so that the driver may look at themirror and see the rearward approaching vehicle and may maneuver thevehicle to avoid or mitigate the rear collision. Optionally, the lensmay be illuminated or may flash responsive to a determination that thedriver of the equipped vehicle is approaching another vehicle tooquickly or is following too close behind a leading vehicle. Optionally,the lens may be illuminated or flash responsive to a detection of anobject in or near the path of travel of the vehicle, such as during areversing maneuver or parking maneuver of the vehicle. The lens thus maybe illuminated or flashed responsive to various vehicle safety or visionsystems, such as forward viewing camera systems or rearward viewingcamera systems of the vehicle or surround viewing camera systems of thevehicle. Optionally, the lens may provide a decorative cover, with thelighting function accomplished via the internal light source and lightpipe discussed above. The cover thus may have more of a structuraldesign and may not be limited in its design for the requirements oflighting. The cover thus may be designed for locking or securing theself-contained, battery-operated, portable garage door opening module atthe receiving portion of the mirror assembly, whereby, when attached atthe mirror casing, a portion of the cover interfaces with or abuts or isdisposed near an end of the light pipe to receive light therefrom whenthe light source at the opposite end of the light pipe is actuated, suchas in the manner or manners discussed above.

When housed in an interior rearview mirror assembly, the self-contained,battery-operated, portable garage door opening module suitable to use inthe present invention is mechanically received at the interior rearviewmirror assembly without need to make any electrical connection theretofrom the interior rearview mirror assembly itself and/or from anyvehicle ignition/battery power source. Thus, the present invention wellsuits lower-cost, non-electrified prismatic day/night mirrors that mountto a mirror mounting button adhered to an in-cabin surface of thevehicle's windshield but that are not electrically connected to anelectrical power source of the vehicle. The portable garage door openingmodule of the present invention being self-contained andbattery-powered, it can be accommodated into an interior rearview mirrorassembly and the OEM need not provide an electrical wireharness/connector to provide vehicle electrical power to the interiormirror assembly, thus reducing overall system cost and complexity.

The manufacturer of the interior rearview assembly (such as, forexample, Magna Mirrors of America Inc. of Holland, Mich.) may coordinatewith the manufacturer of the portable garage door opening module (forexample, The Chamberlain Group of Elmhurst, III) so that the portableunit is securely received by the interior mirror assembly and is readilyuser-removable therefrom. The interior mirror assembly manufacturer canprovide a slot in the lower surface of the mirror casing (or any othersurface such as a top or a side surface) and also may provide receivingstructure within the cavity of the mirror casing that cooperates withstructure of the portable garage door opening module so that, havingpurchased the portable garage door opening module online or at a store,an occupant of a vehicle equipped with that interior mirror assembly cansimply insert the module via the opening provided into the mirror casingand the inserted module snaps in or otherwise mechanically secures inthe cavity of the mirror casing until a user desires to remove ittherefrom. Such a slot, being such as at the lower surface of the mirrorcasing or housing, is relatively unobtrusive and non-viewable for avehicle occupant (such as the driver). Optionally, a flap or flaps orsimilar structure can be provided to close over the gap in the outersurface of the mirror casing created by the slot present foruser-insertion of the module/unit and present for removal of the module.

Optionally, additional features may be added to external display systemsand/or to the garage door opening module or mirror assembly. Forexample, triggering the radio frequency (RF) transmitter of thedetachable self-contained battery operated garage door opening modulebased on vehicle commands or geographical location. Also, on-screeninstructions to help the driver with training of the clicker module.This may require the portable garage door opening module to be“listening” for some signal from the vehicle, as opposed to onlyactivating with a button press.

Optionally, a BLUETOOTH® RF radio may be used for some fixed codeprogramming situations (such as BLUETOOTH Low Energy or BTLE). BTLEconsumes too much power and would drain the battery too quickly if leftactive at all times. Thus, the system of the present invention mayutilize other sensors as a means to wake-up the portable garage dooropening module, and maintain the battery life-time.

There are options that are lower power than the BTLE radiocommunication, if left continuously active. Optionally, an accelerometer(such as an accelerometer device that has a low power modes with abilityto “wake” upon detecting an acceleration above a programmable threshold,where “low power” means less than 10 pA, with some options below 1 pA)may be used that is triggered on door slam or engine start (whereby anoutput of the triggered accelerometer is used to turn on or wake up theportable garage door opening module. Optionally, a light sensor (such asfor sensing visible or IR wavelengths) or a magnetic ormagnetoresponsive sensor (Hall Effect Sensor) may be used where anoutput of the sensor may turn on or wake up the portable garage dooropening module. After a wake-up event by one or more sensors, theportable garage door opening module could verify/confirm status usingthe BTLE link with circuitry or a controller of the mirror assembly orvehicle.

The portable garage door opening module of the present invention can bea member of a suite of portable modules, another of which can be aportable light module (that when being housed in the mirror casing andused in the vehicle can provide likes of a map reading functionality andwhen removed and used outside the subject equipped vehicle can functionas a flashlight. For example, and with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, alight module 21 of the present invention may be received in a receivingportion 12 a′ of the mirror assembly (which may have two or morereceiving portions for receiving and releasably retaining or securingtwo or more separate modules), and may be removable therefrom. When inthe receiving portion of the mirror assembly (FIG. 10), the light modulemay function as a map reading light, and when removed from the receivingportion of the mirror assembly (FIG. 11), the light module may functionas a portable handheld flashlight. Preferably, the battery-operatedlight comprises at least one white light emitting light emitting diodeas its light source.

The self-contained, battery-operated, portable garage door openingmodule of the present invention may comprise a speaker/microphone modulethat allows hands-free communication (preferably using voice activationand control) with a phone or other device within the cabin of theequipped vehicle, such as via use of a Bluetooth short-range RFcommunication protocol.

The suite of portable modules may include a variety of self-contained,battery powered modules. For example, the module may comprise a tolltransponder (FIG. 40) that communicates with automated toll systems,such as an E-ZPass® toll-both transponder, so that a user can readilyinsert their paid for toll transponder into the rearview mirror assemblyof their own vehicle or a rental vehicle or the like. E-ZPass® is anelectronic toll-collection system used on most tolled roads, bridges,and tunnels in the northeastern United States, south to North Carolina,and west to Illinois. Currently, there are 25 agencies spread across 14states that make up the E-ZPass® Interagency Group (IAG). All memberagencies use the same technology, allowing travelers to use the sameE-ZPass® transponder throughout the IAG network. Various independentsystems that use the same technology have been integrated into theE-ZPass® system. These include I-Pass in Illinois and NC Quick Pass inNorth Carolina. Other interoperable systems retained their own brandingfor some time, but have all since been rebranded simply as E-ZPass®.

Optionally, the detachable self-contained battery operated garage dooropening module may comprise a radar detector, and may include circuitryto generate an audible or visual alert to the driver of the vehicle whena radar is detected. The visual alert (such as one or more LEDs or thelike) may be viewable at an exposed portion of the module at the lowerregion of the mirror casing, or may be viewable through the mirrorreflective element of the mirror assembly.

Optionally, and with reference to FIG. 41, the self-contained, batterypowered garage door opening module may comprise a driver camera systemor vision system, whereby, when inserted into the mirror assembly, acamera of the module may view forwardly of the vehicle through thewindshield (such as for providing a lane departure warning system or thelike) or may view into the cabin of the vehicle (such as for an in-cabinmonitoring system or the like). The module may include circuitry forprocessing captured image data and for generating an output, such as anaudible alert or a visual alert (that may be viewable through the mirrorreflective element), responsive to such processing (such as to alert thedriver of the vehicle when the vehicle is leaving its lane of traffic).Optionally, the module may include a display screen that is viewablethrough the reflective element. Optionally, the module may include atransmitter that wirelessly communicates a signal, such as to a networkbus of the vehicle or the like. When removed from the mirror assembly,the camera module may function as a handheld video camera and/or stillcamera.

Another of the suite of portable modules can be a portablebattery-operated digital note taker/digital voice recorder that includesa microphone and digital recorder for recording notes or messages or thelike while driving—and when removed from the interior mirror assemblyand carried by a user outside the vehicle can be used as a digital voicerecorder outside of the vehicle such as in an office or home. Another ofthe suite of portable modules can be a portable memory stick for storingcomputer data and the like.

Optionally, the suite of portable modules may include non-poweredmodules that provide various accessories at the mirror assembly for useby the driver or passenger of the vehicle (with each module beingreadily removable from the mirror assembly for use outside of thevehicle as well). For example, and as shown in FIG. 42, the module maycomprise a wet wipe dispenser or facial tissue dispenser or the like, sothat a user may readily pull a wipe or tissue from the module and mirrorassembly when needed. Optionally, the module may comprise a handsanitizer dispenser, whereby a user may press a button on the module andthe module may dispense hand sanitizer solution or other liquid orsolution into the user's hand. Optionally, for example, and as shown inFIG. 43, the module may comprise a breath mint or candy or gumholder/dispenser, whereby, when the module is received in the mirrorassembly, a user can dispense the candy or gum or the like (or medicineor pills or the like) from the dispenser, preferably without removingthe module from the mirror assembly.

Another of the suite of portable modules can be a portable airfreshener/perfumer module that, when used in the mirror assembly mountedto the windshield in the subject equipped vehicle, can (such as shown inFIG. 44) eject a fragrance spray when user-pressed (or continuouslywithout user intervention as shown in FIG. 45) so as tofragrance/perfume the interior cabin of the vehicle and/or an occupantthereof (or other spray devices or misters may be used with otherliquids or chemicals, such as pepper spray or the like). Another of thesuite of portable modules can be a clip or holder (FIG. 46), such as forclipping a photograph or reminder note or parking ticket or card (suchas provided at a parking garage or lot) or the like at the mirrorassembly so that it is readily viewable and/or accessible by the driveror passenger of the vehicle. Optionally, the module may comprise areminder flag (FIG. 47), which the user may pull down to remind the userto do something, such as to remind the driver of the vehicle to stop atthe grocery store on the way home or the like. When no reminder isneeded, the flag may be pushed up into the module and stowed therein.

Optionally, the suite of portable modules may include various tools orthe like that may be useful to the driver or passenger of the vehicle.For example, a knife or blade or tool (such as a Swiss Army knife orLeatherman tool or other multi-purpose or multi-function tool or thelike) module (FIG. 48) may be provided for use with the mirror assembly.Optionally, the module may comprise a toothpick dispenser (FIG. 49) orthe like. Other types of tools or items may be held and dispensed by amodule of the present invention, such as lighters, makeup items, hairclips, bobby pins and/or the like, or such as a bottle opener or pen orstylus or change holder or the like.

The inclusion of a portable garage door opening module of the presentinvention (alone or as a member of a suite of portable modules) canutilize and benefit from constructions disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.7,293,888; 7,012,727; 6,902,284 and 6,428,172 (which are herebyincorporated herein by reference in their entireties).

The self-contained, battery-operated, portable garage door openingmodule suitable to use in the present invention is compact andpreferably has a length dimension in the about 2 cm to about 4 cm or sorange, a width dimension in the about 2 cm to about 4 cm or so range,and a depth dimension in the about 1 cm to about 2.5 cm or so range.

A blank or push-out or plastic plug element may be provided and presentwhen a portable module of the present invention is not beingaccommodated within the mirror casing (the mirror head) of the interiormirror assembly in order to fill/cover the slot established in the wall(typically, the underside wall) of the plastic mirror casing that allowsthe portable module to be inserted into and removed from the mirrorhead. This blank or push-out or plastic plug element isremovable/removed when a portable module is inserted and isreplaceable/replaced when the module is removed from the mirror casing.

The manufacturer of the interior rearview mirror assembly can shipinterior mirror assemblies with such slots/blank or push-out or plasticplug element present but with no modules included, and leave it toeither the vehicle dealership and/or the buyer of a vehicle equippedwith such an interior mirror assembly to remove a blank or push-out orplastic plug element.

When the owner of a vehicle equipped with the present invention leavesthe equipped vehicle for service at an automobile dealership or serviceshop or garage or the like, the personnel at that dealership may, as acourtesy or as a promotion, insert the likes of any of the portablemodules described herein into an interior rearview mirror assembly of avehicle that is left for service with its slot/receiving portionunoccupied by a portable module.

Thus, the present invention provides an interior rearview mirrorassembly for a vehicle that comprises a mirror head having a mirrorcasing and a mirror reflective element, and a mirror mounting structureconfigured to adjustably mount the mirror head at an interior portion ofa vehicle equipped with the interior rearview mirror assembly. Themirror assembly includes a receiving portion (that may be established ator through a wall of the mirror casing or may be established at themirror mounting structure) for receiving a portable self-containedgarage door opening module at least partially thereat. The portableself-contained garage door opening module comprises at least one userinput and a housing that houses (i) garage door opener circuitryoperable under rolling code, (ii) a radio frequency transmitter and(iii) a battery for electrically powering the circuitry. The portableself-contained garage door opening module is operable to wirelesslytransmit a radio frequency signal responsive to actuation of the atleast one user input of the portable self-contained garage door openingmodule. With the portable self-contained garage door opening module atleast partially received at the receiving portion of the interiorrearview mirror assembly, the at least one user input is accessible by adriver of the equipped vehicle. The portable self-contained garage dooropening module is configured to cooperate with the receiving portion toreleasably secure the portable self-contained garage door opening moduleat the interior rearview mirror assembly (such as at least partially atthe receiving portion), and wherein the portable self-contained garagedoor opening module is releasable from the interior rearview mirrorassembly (such as by cooperating with the receiving portion to releasethe module from the receiving portion).

Optionally, the receiving portion may be disposed at a lower region ofthe mirror casing when the interior rearview mirror assembly is mountedat the equipped vehicle. For example, the receiving portion may comprisean opening established through a wall (such as a lower wall) of themirror casing. Optionally, the opening may comprise a slot establishedthrough the wall of the mirror casing. Optionally, at least one flap maybe provided that covers the opening when the portable self-containedgarage door opening module is not received at the receiving portion ofthe mirror casing. Optionally, the receiving portion may be disposed atthe mirror mounting structure.

Optionally, the portable self-contained garage door opening moduleincludes a visual indicator that is activated responsive to actuation ofthe at least one user input. The visual indicator may be disposed at aportion of the portable self-contained garage door opening module thatis exposed when the portable self-contained garage door opening moduleis at least partially received at the receiving portion. The receivingportion may be disposed at the mirror casing with the visual indicatordisposed behind the mirror reflective element when the portableself-contained garage door opening module is at least partially receivedat the receiving portion of the mirror casing, and the visual indicator,when activated, is viewable through the mirror reflective element by thedriver of the equipped vehicle. Optionally, the at least one user inputmay comprise a glowing phosphorescent material.

Optionally, the portable self-contained garage door opening modulecooperates with the receiving portion via a push-to-release mechanism,and the portable self-contained garage door opening module is pushedinto the receiving portion to engage the push-to-release mechanism forreleasably securing the portable self-contained garage door openingmodule at least partially at the receiving portion. The portableself-contained garage door opening module, when releasably secured atthe receiving portion, is pushed to release the portable self-containedgarage door opening module from the push-to-release mechanism of thereceiving portion.

Optionally, the portable self-contained garage door opening module maybe configured to cooperate with the receiving portion via a fastenerthat secures the portable self-contained garage door opening module atthe receiving portion.

Optionally, a cover element is configured to attach at the receivingportion (such as at the mirror casing at or near an opening of thereceiving portion that at least partially receives the portableself-contained garage door opening module thereat) to releasably securethe portable self-contained garage door opening module at the receivingportion. The cover element is configured to receive light from a lightsource within the mirror assembly and, when the light source isactivated, the cover element is illuminated. The light source may beactivated responsive to a system of the vehicle and the cover element isilluminated to alert a person viewing the cover element. Optionally, thelight source may be activated responsive to an ambient light sensor,whereby the cover element is illuminated when the light source isactivated to enhance viewability of the portable self-contained garagedoor opening module at least partially secured at the receiving portionin low lighting conditions. The light source may comprise a lightemitting diode disposed at a circuit board of the mirror head, and alight pipe may direct light emitted by the light emitting diode towardsthe cover element.

Optionally, the portable self-contained garage door opening module maycomprise a member of a suite of portable modules, each configured forreleasable cooperation with the receiving portion to releasably securethe portable module of the suite of portable modules at least partiallyat the receiving portion. For example, another member of the suite ofportable modules may comprise a battery-operated light, which mayinclude at least one white light emitting light emitting diode. Anothermember of the suite of portable modules may comprise an air freshener ora perfumer or the like.

The mirror reflective element may comprise any suitable reflectiveelement, such as an electro-optic (such as electrochromic) reflectiveelement or a prismatic reflective element. The mirror casing may includea bezel portion that circumscribes a perimeter region of the frontsurface of the reflective element or the reflective element may comprisea frameless reflective element, such as a frameless reflective elementutilizing aspects of the reflective elements described in U.S. Pat. No.8,508,831 and/or International Publication Nos. WO 2010/124064, WO2011/044312, WO 2012/051500 and/or WO 2013/071070, which are herebyincorporated herein by reference in their entireties. For example, andsuch as can be seen with reference to FIG. 7, the mirror reflectiveelement may comprise a glass substrate having a perimeter edge, with theperimeter edge of the glass substrate being exposed to and viewable bythe driver of the vehicle when the interior rearview mirror assembly isnormally mounted in the vehicle, and with the perimeter edge of saidglass substrate comprising a curved surface disposed between a frontsurface of the glass substrate and the mirror casing.

Optionally, for example, the reflective element may comprise a laminateconstruction variable reflectance electro-optic (such as electrochromic)reflective element assembly having a front substrate and a rearsubstrate with an electro-optic medium (such as electrochromic medium)sandwiched therebetween and bounded by a perimeter seal. The frontsubstrate has a front or first surface (the surface that generally facesthe driver of a vehicle when the mirror assembly is normally mounted atthe vehicle) and a rear or second surface opposite the front surface,and the rear substrate has a front or third surface and a rear or fourthsurface opposite the front surface, with the electro-optic mediumdisposed between the second surface and the third surface and bounded bythe perimeter seal of the reflective element (such as is known in theelectrochromic mirror art). The second surface has a transparentconductive coating established thereat (such as an indium tin oxide(ITO) layer, or a doped tin oxide layer or any other transparentelectrically semi-conductive layer or coating or the like (such asindium cerium oxide (ICO), indium tungsten oxide (IWO), or indium oxide(IO) layers or the like or a zinc oxide layer or coating, or a zincoxide coating or the like doped with aluminum or other metallicmaterials, such as silver or gold or the like, or other oxides dopedwith a suitable metallic material or the like, or such as disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 7,274,501, which is hereby incorporated herein byreference in its entirety), while the third surface has a metallicreflector coating (or multiple layers or coatings) established thereat.The front or third surface of rear substrate may include one or moretransparent semi-conductive layers (such as an ITO layer or the like),and one or more metallic electrically conductive layers (such as a layerof silver, aluminum, chromium or the like or an alloy thereof), and mayinclude multiple layers such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,274,501;7,184,190 and/or 7,255,451, which are hereby incorporated herein byreference in their entireties. The mirror reflector may comprise anysuitable coatings or layers, such as a transflective coating or layer,such as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,626,749; 7,274,501; 7,255,451;7,195,381; 7,184,190; 6,690,268; 5,140,455; 5,151,816; 6,178,034;6,154,306; 6,002,511; 5,567,360; 5,525,264; 5,610,756; 5,406,414;5,253,109; 5,076,673; 5,073,012; 5,115,346; 5,724,187; 5,668,663;5,910,854; 5,142,407 and/or 4,712,879, which are hereby incorporatedherein by reference in their entireties, disposed at the front surfaceof the rear substrate (commonly referred to as the third surface of thereflective element) and opposing the electro-optic medium, such as anelectrochromic medium disposed between the front and rear substrates andbounded by the perimeter seal (but optionally, the mirror reflectorcould be disposed at the rear surface of the rear substrate (commonlyreferred to as the fourth surface of the reflective element), whileremaining within the spirit and scope of the present invention).

The mirror assembly may comprise any suitable construction, such as, forexample, a mirror assembly with the reflective element being nested inthe mirror casing and with a bezel portion that circumscribes aperimeter region of the front surface of the reflective element, or withthe mirror casing having a curved or beveled perimeter edge around thereflective element and with no overlap onto the front surface of thereflective element (such as by utilizing aspects of the mirrorassemblies described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,255,451; 7,289,037; 7,360,932;8,049,640; 8,277,059 and/or 8,529,108 (which are hereby incorporatedherein by reference in their entireties), or such as a mirror assemblyhaving a rear substrate of an electro-optic or electrochromic reflectiveelement nested in the mirror casing, and with the front substrate havingcurved or beveled perimeter edges, or such as a mirror assembly having aprismatic reflective element that is disposed at an outer perimeter edgeof the mirror casing and with the prismatic substrate having curved orbeveled perimeter edges, such as described in U.S. Des. Pat. Nos.D633,423; D633,019; D638,761 and/or D647,017, and/or InternationalPublication Nos. WO 2010/124064; WO 2011/044312; WO 2012/051500 and/orWO 2013/071070, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference intheir entireties (and with electrochromic and prismatic mirrors of suchconstruction are commercially available from the assignee of thisapplication under the trade name INFINITY™ mirror).

Optionally, it is envisioned that the mirror assembly may comprise aprismatic reflective element, while remaining within the spirit andscope of the present invention. The prismatic mirror assembly may bemounted or attached at an interior portion of a vehicle (such as at aninterior surface of a vehicle windshield) via the mounting meansdescribed above, and the reflective element may be toggled or flipped oradjusted between its daytime reflectivity position and its nighttimereflectivity position via any suitable toggle means, such as byutilizing aspects of the mirror assemblies described in U.S. Pat. Nos.6,318,870 and/or 7,249,860, and/or U.S. Publication No. US-2010-0085653,which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.Optionally, for example, the interior rearview mirror assembly maycomprise a prismatic mirror assembly, such as the types described inU.S. Pat. Nos. 7,289,037; 7,249,860; 6,318,870; 6,598,980; 5,327,288;4,948,242; 4,826,289; 4,436,371 and/or 4,435,042, which are herebyincorporated herein by reference in their entireties. Optionally, theprismatic reflective element may comprise a conventional prismaticreflective element or prism or may comprise a prismatic reflectiveelement of the types described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,420,756; 7,289,037;7,274,501; 7,249,860; 7,338,177 and/or 7,255,451, which are all herebyincorporated herein by reference in their entireties, without affectingthe scope of the present invention. A variety of mirror accessories andconstructions are known in the art, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat.Nos. 5,555,136; 5,582,383; 5,680,263; 5,984,482; 6,227,675; 6,229,319and/or 6,315,421 (which are hereby incorporated herein by reference intheir entireties), that can benefit from the present invention.

Optionally, the interior rearview mirror assembly may include circuitrytherein (such as at a printed circuit board or the like disposed withinthe mirror casing, and electrical connection to the circuitry may bemade via an electrical lead or connector of a wiring harness of thevehicle. Optionally, the electrical connector may be received throughthe mirror casing and through an aperture established through the toggleelement, such as by utilizing aspects of the mirror assemblies describedin U.S. Pat. No. 5,798,688 and/or U.S. Publication No. US-2010-0085653,which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

The mirror assembly may include user actuatable inputs operable tocontrol any of the accessories of or associated with the mirror assemblyand/or an accessory module or the like. For example, the mirror assemblymay include touch sensitive elements or touch sensors or proximitysensors, such as the types of touch sensitive elements described in U.S.Pat. Nos. 5,594,222; 6,001,486; 6,310,611; 6,320,282; 6,627,918;7,224,324 and/or 7,253,723, and/or International Publication Nos. WO2012/051500 and/or WO 2013/071070, which are hereby incorporated hereinby reference in their entireties, or such as proximity sensors of thetypes described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,224,324; 7,249,860 and/or 7,446,924,and/or International Publication No. WO 2004/058540, which are herebyincorporated herein by reference in their entireties, or such asmembrane type switches, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,360,932,which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, orsuch as detectors and the like, such as the types disclosed in U.S. Pat.Nos. 7,255,541; 6,504,531; 6,501,465; 6,492,980; 6,452,479; 6,437,258and/or 6,369,804, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference intheir entireties, and/or the like, while remaining within the spirit andscope of the present invention.

Optionally, the user inputs may also or otherwise comprise user inputsfor a telematics system of the vehicle, such as, for example, an ONSTAR®system as found in General Motors vehicles and/or such as described inU.S. Pat. Nos. 4,862,594; 4,937,945; 5,131,154; 5,255,442; 5,632,092;5,798,688; 5,971,552; 5,924,212; 6,243,003; 6,278,377; 6,420,975;6,477,464; 6,946,978; 7,308,341; 7,167,796; 7,004,593; 7,657,052 and/or6,678,614, and/or U.S. Publication No. US-2006-0050018, which are allhereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

Optionally, the mirror assembly may include one or more other displays,such as the types disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,530,240 and/or6,329,925, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in theirentireties, and/or display-on-demand transflective type displays, and/orvideo displays or display screens, such as the types disclosed in U.S.Pat. Nos. 8,890,955; 7,855;755; 7,338,177; 7,274,501; 7,255,451;7,195,381; 7,184,190; 7,046,448; 5,668,663; 5,724,187; 5,530,240;6,329,925; 6,690,268; 7,734,392; 7,370,983; 6,902,284; 6,428,172;6,420,975; 5,416,313; 5,285,060; 5,193,029 and/or 4,793,690, and/or inU.S. Publication Nos. US-2006-0061008; US-2006-0050018; US-2009-0015736;US-2009-0015736 and/or US-2010-0097469, and/or PCT Application No.PCT/US10/47256, filed Aug. 31, 2010, which are all hereby incorporatedherein by reference in their entireties.

The video display screen may be controlled or operable in response to aninput or signal, such as a signal received from one or more cameras orimage sensors of the vehicle, such as a video camera or sensor, such asa CMOS imaging array sensor, a CCD sensor or the like, and imageprocessors or image processing techniques, such as utilizing aspects ofthe cameras and image processors described U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,550,677;5,670,935; 5,760,962; 6,498,620; 6,396,397; 6,222,447; 6,201,642;6,097,023; 5,877,897; 5,796,094; 5,715,093; 6,922,292; 6,757,109;6,717,610; 6,590,719; 6,320,176; 6,559,435; 6,831,261; 6,806,452;6,822,563; 6,946,978; 7,038,577; 7,004,606 and/or 7,720,580, and/or U.S.Pat. Pub. Nos. US-2006-0171704; US-2009-0244361 and/or US-2010-0214791,and/or International Publication Nos. WO 2009/046268 and/or WO2009/036176, which are all hereby incorporated herein by reference intheir entireties, or from one or more imaging systems of the vehicle,such as a reverse or backup aid system, such as a rearwardly directedvehicle vision system utilizing principles disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,550,677; 5,760,962; 5,670,935; 6,201,642; 6,396,397; 6,498,620;6,717,610 and/or 6,757,109, which are hereby incorporated herein byreference in their entireties, a trailer hitching aid or tow checksystem, such as the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,005,974, which ishereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, a cabin viewingor monitoring device or system, such as a baby viewing or rear seatviewing camera or device or system or the like, such as disclosed inU.S. Pat. Nos. 5,877,897 and/or 6,690,268, which are hereby incorporatedherein by reference in their entireties, a video communication device orsystem, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,690,268, which is herebyincorporated herein by reference in its entirety, and/or the like. Theimaging sensor or camera may be activated and the display screen may beactivated in response to the vehicle shifting into reverse, such thatthe display screen is viewable by the driver and is displaying an imageof the rearward scene while the driver is reversing the vehicle. It isenvisioned that an image processor or controller (such as an EYEQ™ imageprocessing chip available from Mobileye Vision Technologies Ltd. ofJerusalem, Israel, and such as an image processor of the types describedin International Pub. No. WO/2010/099416, which is hereby incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety) may process image data captured bythe rearward facing camera to assess glare lighting conditions (such asto detect headlights of following vehicles that may cause glare at theinterior and/or exterior rearview mirror assemblies of the equippedvehicle), and the controller may adjust or control the dimming of theelectro-optic mirror assembly or assemblies of the equipped vehicleresponsive to such image processing.

Optionally, the mirror assembly may include one or more otheraccessories at or within the mirror casing, such as one or moreelectrical or electronic devices or accessories, such as antennas,including global positioning system (GPS) or cellular phone antennas,such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,971,552, a communication module,such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,798,688, a blind spot detectionsystem, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,929,786 and/or 5,786,772,transmitters and/or receivers, a digital network, such as described inU.S. Pat. No. 5,798,575, a high/low headlamp controller, such asdisclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,796,094 and/or 5,715,093, a memory mirrorsystem, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,796,176, a hands-free phoneattachment, a video device for internal cabin surveillance and/or videotelephone function, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,760,962 and/or5,877,897, a remote keyless entry receiver, lights, such as map readinglights or one or more other lights or illumination sources, such asdisclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,690,268; 5,938,321; 5,813,745; 5,820,245;5,673,994; 5,649,756; 5,178,448; 5,671,996; 4,646,210; 4,733,336;4,807,096; 6,042,253; 5,669,698; 7,195,381; 6,971,775 and/or 7,249,860,microphones, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,657,052; 6,243,003;6,278,377 and/or 6,420,975, speakers, a voice recorder, an imagingsystem or components or circuitry or display thereof, such as an imagingand/or display system of the types described in U.S. Pat. Nos.7,400,435; 7,526,103; 6,690,268 and/or 6,847,487, and/or U.S. Pat. Pub.No. US-2006-0125919, a video device for internal cabin surveillance(such as for sleep detection or driver drowsiness detection or thelike), a seat occupancy detector, a remote starter control, a yawsensor, a clock, a carbon monoxide detector, status displays, such asdisplays that display a status of a door of the vehicle, a transmissionselection (4wd/2wd or traction control (TCS) or the like), an antilockbraking system, a road condition (that may warn the driver of icy roadconditions) and/or the like, a trip computer, a tire pressure monitoringsystem (TPMS) receiver (such as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,124,647;6,294,989; 6,445,287; 6,472,979; 6,731,205 and/or 7,423,522, and/or anONSTAR® system, a compass, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,924,212; 4,862,594; 4,937,945; 5,131,154; 5,255,442 and/or 5,632,092,and/or any other accessory or circuitry or the like (with all of theabove-referenced patents and publications being commonly assigned andbeing hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties).

The mirror assembly may comprise or utilize aspects of other types ofcasings or the like, such as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,338,177;7,289,037; 7,249,860; 6,439,755; 4,826,289 and/or 6,501,387, which areall hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties, withoutaffecting the scope of the present invention. Optionally, the mirrorassembly may comprise a modular mirror construction, and may includeback housing portions or the like, such as cap portions of the typesdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,289,037, which is hereby incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety. Optionally, the mirror casingand/or reflective element may include customized or personalizedviewable characteristics, such as color or symbols or indicia selectedby the vehicle manufacturer or owner of the vehicle, such as thecustomization characteristics described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,626,749;7,255,451 and/or 7,289,037, which are hereby incorporated herein byreference in their entireties.

Optionally, the accessory or accessories, such as those described above,may be positioned at or within the mirror casing and/or mirror capportion or the like, and may be included on or integrated in a printedcircuit board positioned within the mirror casing and/or cap portion,such as along a rear surface of the reflective element or elsewherewithin a cavity defined by the casing, without affecting the scope ofthe present invention. The user actuatable inputs and/or touch sensorsand/or proximity sensors and displays described above may be actuatableto control and/or adjust the accessories of the mirror assembly/systemand/or overhead console and/or accessory module and/or vehicle. Theconnection or link between the controls and the display screen deviceand/or the navigation system and/or other systems and accessories of themirror system may be provided via vehicle electronic or communicationsystems and the like, and may be connected via various protocols ornodes, such as BLUETOOTH®, SCP, UBP, J1850, CAN J2284, Fire Wire 1394,MOST, LIN, FLEXRAY™, Byte Flight and/or the like, or other vehicle-basedor in-vehicle communication links or systems (such as WIFI and/or IRDA)and/or the like, or via VHF or UHF or other wireless transmissionformats, depending on the particular application of the mirror/accessorysystem and the vehicle. Optionally, the connections or links may beprovided via various wireless connectivity or links, without affectingthe scope of the present invention.

Changes and modifications in the specifically described embodiments maybe carried out without departing from the principles of the presentinvention, which is intended to be limited only by the scope of theappended claims as interpreted according to the principles of patentlaw.

1. An interior rearview mirror system for a vehicle, the interiorrearview mirror system comprising: an interior rearview mirror assemblycomprising a mirror head and a mirror mounting structure; wherein themirror head comprises a mirror casing and a mirror reflective element;wherein the mirror mounting structure is configured to mount the mirrorhead at an interior portion of a vehicle equipped with the interiorrearview mirror system; a self-contained battery powered modulereleasably disposable at the mirror head; wherein the self-containedbattery powered module comprises a toll transponder that communicateswith an automated toll system; wherein the mirror head comprises areceiving portion for receiving the self-contained battery poweredmodule thereat; wherein the receiving portion comprises an openingestablished through a wall of the mirror casing; wherein, with themirror mounting structure mounting the mirror head at the interiorportion of the equipped vehicle, the opening of the receiving portion isat a lower region of the mirror casing; wherein the self-containedbattery powered module is releasably retained at least partially in thereceiving portion via a push-to-release mechanism; wherein theself-contained battery powered module is removable from the receivingportion via pushing at the self-contained battery powered module torelease the self-contained battery powered module from thepush-to-release mechanism; and wherein the mirror head comprises a flapthat is disposed at the opening of the receiving portion, and wherein,with the self-contained battery powered module removed from thereceiving portion, the flap at least partially covers the opening. 2.The interior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein, with theself-contained battery powered module received at the receiving portionand with the mirror mounting structure mounting the mirror head at theinterior portion of the equipped vehicle, a user input of theself-contained battery powered module is actuatable by a driver of theequipped vehicle.
 3. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 2,wherein the self-contained battery powered module includes a visualindicator that is activated responsive to actuation of the user input.4. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 3, wherein the visualindicator is disposed at a portion of the self-contained battery poweredmodule that is exposed when the self-contained battery powered module isreceived at the receiving portion.
 5. The interior rearview mirrorsystem of claim 3, wherein, with the self-contained battery poweredmodule received at the receiving portion and with the mirror mountingstructure mounting the mirror head at the interior portion of theequipped vehicle, the visual indicator is disposed behind the mirrorreflective element, and wherein the visual indicator, when activated, isviewable through the mirror reflective element by the driver of theequipped vehicle.
 6. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 1,wherein the mirror head comprising a cover element configured to attachat the mirror casing at the receiving portion and configured to bereleasable from the mirror casing, and wherein, with the self-containedbattery powered module received at the receiving portion, and with thecover element attached at the mirror casing, the self-contained batterypowered module is secured at the receiving portion by the cover.
 7. Theinterior rearview mirror system of claim 6, wherein, with theself-contained battery powered module received at the receiving portionand with the mirror mounting structure mounting the mirror head at theinterior portion of the equipped vehicle, and with the cover elementattached at the mirror casing to secure the self-contained batterypowered module at the receiving portion, a user input of theself-contained battery powered module is actuatable by a driver of theequipped vehicle.
 8. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 6,wherein the cover element snap attaches at the mirror casing to securethe self-contained battery powered module at the receiving portion. 9.The interior rearview mirror system of claim 6, wherein, when the coverelement is attached at the mirror casing to secure the self-containedbattery powered module at the receiving portion, the cover element isdisposed over an indicator of the self-contained battery powered module,whereby light emitted by the indicator passes through the cover element.10. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 9, wherein theindicator of the self-contained battery powered module comprises anoperation indicator that is energized when the self-contained batterypowered module is actuated.
 11. The interior rearview mirror system ofclaim 6, wherein the cover element is configured to receive light from alight source within the mirror head, and wherein, with the cover elementattached at the mirror casing to releasably secure the self-containedbattery powered module at the receiving portion, and when the lightsource is activated, the cover element is illuminated.
 12. The interiorrearview mirror system of claim 11, wherein the light source isactivated responsive to a system of the equipped vehicle and the coverelement is illuminated to alert a person viewing the cover element. 13.The interior rearview mirror system of claim 11, wherein the lightsource is activated responsive at least in part to an ambient lightsensor, and wherein the cover element, with the cover element attachedat the mirror casing to secure the self-contained battery powered moduleat the receiving portion, is illuminated when the light source isactivated to enhance viewability of the self-contained battery poweredmodule secured at the receiving portion in low lighting conditions. 14.The interior rearview mirror system of claim 13, wherein the lightsource comprises a light emitting diode disposed at a circuit board ofthe mirror head, and wherein a light pipe directs light emitted by thelight emitting diode towards the cover element when the cover element isattached at the mirror casing.
 15. An interior rearview mirror systemfor a vehicle, the interior rearview mirror system comprising: aninterior rearview mirror assembly comprising a mirror head and a mirrormounting structure; wherein the mirror head comprises a mirror casingand a mirror reflective element; wherein the mirror mounting structureis configured to mount the mirror head at an interior portion of avehicle equipped with the interior rearview mirror system; aself-contained battery powered module releasably disposable at themirror head; wherein the self-contained battery powered module comprisesa toll transponder that communicates with an automated toll system;wherein the mirror head comprises a receiving portion for receiving theself-contained battery powered module thereat; wherein the receivingportion comprises an opening established through a wall of the mirrorcasing; wherein, with the mirror mounting structure mounting the mirrorhead at the interior portion of the equipped vehicle, the opening of thereceiving portion is at a lower region of the mirror casing; wherein theself-contained battery powered module is releasably retained at leastpartially in the receiving portion via a push-to-release mechanism;wherein the self-contained battery powered module includes a visualindicator that is activated when the self-contained batter poweredmodule is operating, and wherein the visual indicator, when activated,is viewable when the self-contained battery powered module is receivedat the receiving portion; wherein the self-contained battery poweredmodule is removable from the receiving portion via pushing at theself-contained battery powered module to release the self-containedbattery powered module from the push-to-release mechanism; and whereinthe mirror head comprises a flap that is disposed at the opening of thereceiving portion, and wherein, with the self-contained battery poweredmodule removed from the receiving portion, the flap at least partiallycovers the opening.
 16. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 15,wherein, with the self-contained battery powered module received at thereceiving portion and with the mirror mounting structure mounting themirror head at the interior portion of the equipped vehicle, a userinput of the self-contained battery powered module is actuatable by adriver of the equipped vehicle.
 17. The interior rearview mirror systemof claim 16, wherein the visual indicator is activated responsive toactuation of the user input.
 18. The interior rearview mirror system ofclaim 15, wherein the mirror head comprising a cover element configuredto attach at the mirror casing at the receiving portion and configuredto be releasable from the mirror casing, and wherein, with theself-contained battery powered module received at the receiving portion,and with the cover element attached at the mirror casing, theself-contained battery powered module is secured at the receivingportion by the cover.
 19. The interior rearview mirror system of claim18, wherein, with the self-contained battery powered module received atthe receiving portion and with the mirror mounting structure mountingthe mirror head at the interior portion of the equipped vehicle, andwith the cover element attached at the mirror casing to secure theself-contained battery powered module at the receiving portion, a userinput of the self-contained battery powered module is actuatable by adriver of the equipped vehicle.
 20. The interior rearview mirror systemof claim 18, wherein the cover element snap attaches at the mirrorcasing to secure the self-contained battery powered module at thereceiving portion.
 21. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 18,wherein, when the cover element is attached at the mirror casing tosecure the self-contained battery powered module at the receivingportion, the cover element is disposed over the visual indicator of theself-contained battery powered module, whereby light emitted by thevisual indicator passes through the cover element.
 22. An interiorrearview mirror system for a vehicle, the interior rearview mirrorsystem comprising: an interior rearview mirror assembly comprising amirror head and a mirror mounting structure; wherein the mirror headcomprises a mirror casing and a mirror reflective element; wherein themirror mounting structure is configured to mount the mirror head at aninterior portion of a vehicle equipped with the interior rearview mirrorsystem; a self-contained battery powered module releasably disposable atthe mirror head; wherein the self-contained battery powered modulecomprises a toll transponder that communicates with an automated tollsystem; wherein the mirror head comprises a receiving portion forreceiving the self-contained battery powered module thereat; wherein thereceiving portion comprises an opening established through a wall of themirror casing; wherein, with the mirror mounting structure mounting themirror head at the interior portion of the equipped vehicle, the openingof the receiving portion is at a lower region of the mirror casing;wherein the mirror head comprising a cover element configured to attachat the mirror casing at the receiving portion and configured to bereleasable from the mirror casing; wherein, with the self-containedbattery powered module received at the receiving portion, and with thecover element attached at the mirror casing, the self-contained batterypowered module is secured at the receiving portion by the cover; whereinthe cover element snap attaches at the mirror casing to secure theself-contained battery powered module at the receiving portion; andwherein the self-contained battery powered module is removable from thereceiving portion via at least partially detaching the cover elementfrom the mirror casing to release the self-contained battery poweredmodule.
 23. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 22, wherein,with the self-contained battery powered module secured at the receivingportion by the cover and with the mirror mounting structure mounting themirror head at the interior portion of the equipped vehicle, a userinput of the self-contained battery powered module is actuatable by adriver of the equipped vehicle.
 24. The interior rearview mirror systemof claim 23, wherein the self-contained battery powered module includesa visual indicator that is activated responsive to actuation of the userinput.
 25. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 24, wherein,when the cover element is attached at the mirror casing to secure theself-contained battery powered module at the receiving portion, thecover element is disposed over the visual indicator of theself-contained battery powered module, whereby light emitted by thevisual indicator passes through the cover element.
 26. The interiorrearview mirror system of claim 22, wherein the cover element isconfigured to receive light from a light source within the mirror head,and wherein, with the cover element attached at the mirror casing toreleasably secure the self-contained battery powered module at thereceiving portion, and when the light source is activated, the coverelement is illuminated.
 27. The interior rearview mirror system of claim26, wherein the light source is activated responsive at least in part toan ambient light sensor, and wherein the cover element, with the coverelement attached at the mirror casing to secure the self-containedbattery powered module at the receiving portion, is illuminated when thelight source is activated to enhance viewability of the self-containedbattery powered module secured at the receiving portion in low lightingconditions.
 28. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 27, whereinthe light source comprises a light emitting diode disposed at a circuitboard of the mirror head, and wherein a light pipe directs light emittedby the light emitting diode towards the cover element when the coverelement is attached at the mirror casing.